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Story
April 6, 1896
The Herald
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California
What is this article about?
An elderly Confederate supporter in a remote Georgia valley anxiously awaits war news from his son, who returns after Lee's surrender, explaining the South's defeat by saying 'the Lord was a Yank.'
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
THE LORD WAS A YANK
That Is What Settled the Late Unpleasantness
Gov. Matthews is telling a good story he heard in the south recently.
In a valley in the northern part of Georgia, between two mountains which shut out all communication with the outside world, there lived an old planter, who, while an ardent adherent of the southern cause, was too badly crippled by infirmities to shoulder a musket and march barefooted. But he had a son whom he sent, and after the boy had disappeared down the road the old man waited for the news of the strife. Occasionally rumors of southern victories would float over the mountains, and the old man-Uncle S. he was called-would rejoice and take an unusually large dose of mint julep. At other times, when reverse news came and it was reported that the gray had been turned back the old man would bitterly lament and use the same remedy for grief and sorrow that he used to quiet his joy. Through it all he had abundant faith in the ultimate victory of the confederate army, and any doubt expressed would meet with a stern rebuke.
The years rolled on, news failed to arrive. The valley was deserted, and there was no one to learn the course of events. The old man smoked his pipe and waited impatiently for news. One morning as he sat on the front porch with his pipe, far down the dusty road appeared the form of a solitary pedestrian. Gradually he approached, and the feeble vision of the old planter recognized his long-absent son. The puffs from his pipe came thick and fast, but this was the only sign of eagerness or nervousness displayed.
The gate swung open and the soldier walked up and sat down on the steps.
"Mornin', Jim," said the old man.
"Mornin', pap," was the quiet response.
"Shot?"
"No'p."
"Sick?"
"No'p."
The old man reached behind him for a stout club which he used as a cane.
"Jim," he said, nervously, "Jim, ye didn't desart?"
"No. we're whupped."
"What!"
"Yes, we're whupped. Lee has surrendered with his army and we uns all laid down our guns."
The old man jabbed with his cane at a fly for a minute and then, looking up with a troubled expression, asked:
"Jim, how'd it happen?"
"Well, pap, we uns all fit our best, as long as it was an even shake; but we uns all found out 'at the Lord was a Yank, and it was no use. We uns laid down our guns and cum home."
-Indianapolis Sentinel.
That Is What Settled the Late Unpleasantness
Gov. Matthews is telling a good story he heard in the south recently.
In a valley in the northern part of Georgia, between two mountains which shut out all communication with the outside world, there lived an old planter, who, while an ardent adherent of the southern cause, was too badly crippled by infirmities to shoulder a musket and march barefooted. But he had a son whom he sent, and after the boy had disappeared down the road the old man waited for the news of the strife. Occasionally rumors of southern victories would float over the mountains, and the old man-Uncle S. he was called-would rejoice and take an unusually large dose of mint julep. At other times, when reverse news came and it was reported that the gray had been turned back the old man would bitterly lament and use the same remedy for grief and sorrow that he used to quiet his joy. Through it all he had abundant faith in the ultimate victory of the confederate army, and any doubt expressed would meet with a stern rebuke.
The years rolled on, news failed to arrive. The valley was deserted, and there was no one to learn the course of events. The old man smoked his pipe and waited impatiently for news. One morning as he sat on the front porch with his pipe, far down the dusty road appeared the form of a solitary pedestrian. Gradually he approached, and the feeble vision of the old planter recognized his long-absent son. The puffs from his pipe came thick and fast, but this was the only sign of eagerness or nervousness displayed.
The gate swung open and the soldier walked up and sat down on the steps.
"Mornin', Jim," said the old man.
"Mornin', pap," was the quiet response.
"Shot?"
"No'p."
"Sick?"
"No'p."
The old man reached behind him for a stout club which he used as a cane.
"Jim," he said, nervously, "Jim, ye didn't desart?"
"No. we're whupped."
"What!"
"Yes, we're whupped. Lee has surrendered with his army and we uns all laid down our guns."
The old man jabbed with his cane at a fly for a minute and then, looking up with a troubled expression, asked:
"Jim, how'd it happen?"
"Well, pap, we uns all fit our best, as long as it was an even shake; but we uns all found out 'at the Lord was a Yank, and it was no use. We uns laid down our guns and cum home."
-Indianapolis Sentinel.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Fate Providence
Misfortune
Family
What keywords are associated?
Civil War
Confederate Defeat
Lee Surrender
Father Son Reunion
Divine Favor
Georgia Valley
What entities or persons were involved?
Uncle S.
Jim
Lee
Where did it happen?
Valley In The Northern Part Of Georgia, Between Two Mountains
Story Details
Key Persons
Uncle S.
Jim
Lee
Location
Valley In The Northern Part Of Georgia, Between Two Mountains
Story Details
Old planter Uncle S. sends son Jim to fight for the Confederacy and waits isolated for news; son returns after Lee's surrender, explaining defeat because 'the Lord was a Yank.'